Transport apparatus with computerized information and display apparatus

Abstract

Transport apparatus which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to a location of an entity, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related content. In another variant, retrieved data can be downloaded to a portable user device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A transportation apparatus configured to transport one or more persons from one location to the next, comprising:
 a passenger compartment; and   computerized information and display apparatus disposed at least partly within the passenger compartment, the information and display apparatus comprising:   a wireless network interface;   processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;   a display device; and   a storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program;   wherein said computerized information and display apparatus is configured to:
 obtain digitized speech, the digitized speech generated based on speech received from a passenger, the received speech comprising a query for desired information which the passenger wishes to find; 
 cause, based at least in part on the digitized speech and via at least the wireless network interface, retrieval of data associated with a plurality of possible matches to the desired information; 
 receive a subsequent input from the passenger as to which of the plurality of possible matches is the one that the passenger desires; and 
 display content associated with the one match that the passenger desires on the display device, the content received via the network interface and providing the user with the desired information. 
   
     
     
         42 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the content associated with the one match comprises a visually perceivable representation of a geographic location associated with the one match. 
     
     
         43 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the desired information comprises a location or address of a business entity disposed at the geographic location. 
     
     
         44 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the visually perceivable representation of a geographic location associated with the one match comprises an image showing the location or address of the business entity, as well as one or more other entities immediately proximate thereto. 
     
     
         45 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising an input device which, when selected by a passenger, causes the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode wherein the passenger is prompted to provide information. 
     
     
         46 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the prompt to provide information comprises a synthesized voice prompt requesting the passenger to provide a verbal or speech input. 
     
     
         47 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to synthesize a voice output, the synthesized voice output audibly indicating that a plurality of possible matches have been found. 
     
     
         48 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the subsequent input comprises a subsequent speech input from the user, the subsequent speech input comprising at least one piece of information not present in the query, a digitized representation of the subsequent speech input enabling the selection of the one of the plurality of possible matches that the passenger desires and presentation of the content associated therewith. 
     
     
         49 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to display additional content on the display device, the additional content received via the network interface and selected based at least in part on the digitized speech, but not specifically requested by the user. 
     
     
         50 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the additional content comprises content that is contextually related to the current location of the transportation apparatus. 
     
     
         51 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the content that is contextually related to the current location of the transportation apparatus comprises advertising for one or more entities local to the transportation apparatus. 
     
     
         52 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising an input device which, when selected by a passenger, causes the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode wherein the passenger may provide the speech query; and
 wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to revert to a mode where the passenger cannot enter the speech query after a prescribed period of time expires without the passenger providing the speech query, unless the input device is again selected.   
     
     
         53 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to provide at least a portion of information obtained via the network interface in response to a speech query of the passenger to a portable electronic device via a data interface of the computerized information and display apparatus. 
     
     
         54 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the at least portion of information obtained via the network interface comprises at least map data relating to an area local to the transportation apparatus. 
     
     
         55 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the data interface comprises an interface utilizing a serialized bus protocol and a physical connection between the transportation apparatus and the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         56 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein the physical connection between the transportation apparatus and the portable electronic device comprises a physical connector that is fixedly part of the transportation apparatus and which is at least partly recessed with a slot or enclosure. 
     
     
         57 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured such that provision of at least a portion of information obtained via the network interface in response to a speech query of the passenger to a portable electronic device via a data interface can be invoked by application software present on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         58 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the application software present on the portable electronic device is configured to receive and store the at least portion of information for subsequent use by the passenger in navigating an area local to the transportation apparatus. 
     
     
         59 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the provision of at least a portion of information obtained via the network interface in response to a speech query of the passenger to a portable electronic device via a data interface is invoked automatically when the portable electronic device and the computerized information and display device are placed in data communication with each other via the data interface. 
     
     
         60 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. 
     
     
         61 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to enable video data to be generated and displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         62 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the transportation apparatus and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area proximate the transportation apparatus. 
     
     
         63 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising at least one motion detection apparatus configured to alert the passenger of motion occurring outside of the transportation apparatus so as to avoid a hazard associated therewith. 
     
     
         64 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising at least one motion detector configured to alert the passenger of motion occurring outside of the transportation apparatus, the alert comprising display of visually perceptible information on the display device. 
     
     
         65 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to display a plurality of icons corresponding to respective ones of topical areas, selection of the topical areas by the passenger causing access of a remote network entity via the wireless network interface in order to retrieve information relevant to the passenger and relating to the selected topical area. 
     
     
         66 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the topical areas include weather information, and the information relevant to the user comprises a weather forecast for a prescribed geographic area, the area selected by the user via the computerized information and display apparatus. 
     
     
         67 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the icons are selected to facilitate rapid access to and display of a limited collection of data in order to reduce the amount of time needed by the user to locate and be cognitive of information that the passenger desires to a few seconds. 
     
     
         68 . A land-mobile personnel transport device, comprising:
 a passenger compartment; and   computerized information and display apparatus disposed at least partly within the passenger compartment, the information and display apparatus comprising:   a wireless network interface;   a plurality of data processing apparatus, at least one of the plurality of processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;   speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus;   a display device configured to be viewable by an occupant of the passenger compartment of the land-mobile device during use of the land-mobile device; and   computerized logic cooperative with at least the speech processing apparatus and at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus and configured to, when executed:   obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from the occupant, the received speech comprising a request for desired information which the occupant wishes to obtain;   cause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, remote retrieval of the desired information; and   receive the desired information via the wireless network interface;   wherein the information and display apparatus is further configured to utilize at least a portion of the desired information to render an image on the display device, the information selected based at least in part on the digitized speech; and wherein the desired information comprises information indicating a location of an entity or organization.   
     
     
         69 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein the rendered image comprises at least a map, and the transport device further comprises a speech synthesis apparatus which is configured to generate audible sounds for the occupant, the sounds comprising human-intelligible words, the words comprising a sequence of words or phrases which direct the occupant to take one or more actions so as to enable the occupant to find the organization or entity. 
     
     
         70 . The transport device of  claim 69 , wherein the one or more actions comprise provision of one or more inputs subsequent to the digitized speech. 
     
     
         71 . The transport device of  claim 70 , wherein the display device comprises a touch screen display device, and the one or more subsequent inputs comprise one or more inputs provided via a touch screen of the touch screen display device, the one or more inputs comprising selection of an interactive link or display region displayed on the display device subsequent to the occupant's initial digitized speech input. 
     
     
         72 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to receive at least one subsequent digitized speech input, the speech originating from the occupant, in order to resolve at least one ambiguity relating to multiple possible matches for the desired information. 
     
     
         73 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to display content on the display device, the content advertising a good or service, the content received via the network interface and selected based at least in part on the digitized speech. 
     
     
         74 . The transport device of  claim 73 , wherein the received content comprises content relating to an entity that is local to the location. 
     
     
         75 . The transport device of  claim 73 , wherein the selection based at least in part on the digitized speech comprises use of one or more words recognized within the speech to identify one or more matching keywords within a database. 
     
     
         76 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein the transport device is further configured to utilize one or more radio frequency emissions emanating from a portable radio frequency device of the occupant, the one or more emissions uniquely identifying the occupant, in order to configure one or more aspects of operation of the transport device. 
     
     
         77 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the transport device comprise enabling one or more functions that are otherwise disabled. 
     
     
         78 . The transport device of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the transport device comprise configuring the provision of data to the occupant during operation of the transport device according to a profile specific to that occupant. 
     
     
         79 . The transport device of  claim 68 , further comprising a communication apparatus configured to enable at least voice communication by a passenger with a remote monitoring station while the transport device is in operation. 
     
     
         80 . A land-mobile personnel transport device, comprising:
 a passenger compartment; and   computerized information and display apparatus disposed at least partly within the passenger compartment, the information and display apparatus comprising:
 a wireless network interface; 
 a plurality of data processing apparatus, at least one of the plurality of processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface; 
 speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus; 
 speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus; 
 a display device configured to be viewable by an occupant of the land-mobile apparatus during use of the land-mobile device; and 
 computerized logic cooperative with the speech processing apparatus, the speech synthesis apparatus, and at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus and configured to, when executed:
 obtain digitized speech generated from the speech processing apparatus based on speech received from the occupant, the received speech comprising a request to determine a location of an entity or organization which the occupant wishes to find; 
 cause (i) evaluation of the digitized speech in order to identify one or more words therein, and (ii) a search of a database for one or more entities or organizations having one or more of the identified words associated therewith; 
 present a listing of two or more entities or organizations identified during the search; 
 receive subsequent occupant input, the subsequent input identifying one of the two or more entities or organizations as being the one which the occupant wishes to find; and 
 present information relating to the location to the occupant in order to aid the occupant in finding the one entity or organization. 
 
   
     
     
         81 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the presentation of the listing of two or more entities comprises presentation of at least a text-based listing on the display device. 
     
     
         82 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 81 , wherein the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen device, and the text-based listing comprises one or more soft function keys generated on the touch screen device, the one or more soft function keys enabling the occupant to provide the subsequent input via touching the display device screen. 
     
     
         83 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 81 , wherein the subsequent occupant input comprises a speech input received via the speech processing apparatus. 
     
     
         84 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the information relating to the location to the occupant in order to aid the occupant in finding the one entity or organization comprises a map graphic rendered on the display device and showing at least (i) the location; (ii) one or more entities or organizations proximate to the location; and (iii) a graphic representation of a route to follow in order to navigate to the location. 
     
     
         85 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the information relating to the location to the occupant in order to aid the occupant in finding the one entity or organization comprises an audible representation of at least a portion of the address of the location, the audible representation generated by the speech synthesis apparatus. 
     
     
         86 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to display additional content on the display device, the additional content selected based at least in part on the digitized speech and related to the entity or organization, but not specifically requested by the user. 
     
     
         87 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 86 , wherein the additional content comprises content that is contextually related to the current location of the transport device. 
     
     
         88 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 87 , wherein the content that is contextually related to the current location of the transport device comprises advertising for one or more entities local to the transport device. 
     
     
         89 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the subsequent occupant input is received via a key- or button-based electromechanical input device which is in signal communication with the computerized information and display system. 
     
     
         90 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 89 , further comprising an input device which, when selected by the occupant, causes the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode wherein the occupant may provide the received speech; and
 wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to revert to a mode where the occupant cannot enter the speech query after a prescribed period of time expires without the user providing the speech query, unless the input device is again selected.   
     
     
         91 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 89 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to provide at least a portion of information obtained via the wireless network interface in response to a speech query of the occupant to a portable user device via a data interface of the computerized information and display apparatus. 
     
     
         92 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 91 , wherein the at least portion of information obtained via the network interface comprises at least map data relating to an area local to the transport device. 
     
     
         93 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 91 , wherein the data interface comprises an interface utilizing a serialized bus protocol and a physical connection between the transport device and the portable user device. 
     
     
         94 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 93 , wherein the physical connection between the transportation apparatus and the portable user device comprises a physical connector that is fixedly part of the transportation apparatus and which is at least partly recessed with a slot or enclosure. 
     
     
         95 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured such that provision of at least a portion of information obtained via the network interface in response to a speech query of the occupant to a portable user device via a data interface can be invoked by application software present on the user device. 
     
     
         96 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 95 , wherein the application software present on the user device is configured to receive and store the at least portion of information for subsequent use by the occupant in navigating an area local to the transport device. 
     
     
         97 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 91 , wherein the provision of at least a portion of information obtained via the network interface in response to a speech query of the occupant to a portable user device via a data interface is invoked automatically when the user device and the computerized information and display device are placed in data communication with each other via the data interface. 
     
     
         98 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. 
     
     
         99 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with at least one of the plurality of data processing apparatus and configured to enable video data to be generated and displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         100 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 99 , further comprising at least one motion detector configured to alert the passenger of motion occurring outside of the transport device, the alert comprising display of visually perceptible information on the display device. 
     
     
         101 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 100 , further comprising at least one motion detection apparatus configured to alert the passenger of motion occurring outside of the transport device so as to avoid a hazard associated therewith. 
     
     
         102 . The land-mobile personnel transport device of  claim 80 , wherein the video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the transport device and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area proximate the transport device.